Burning as Yenesew did to pay epic price for freedom in Ethiopia By Robele Ababya

Yenesew Gabre torched himself and paid the ultimate sacrifice for the universally immutable values of freedom, liberty, equality, democracy, social justice, pursuit of happiness for every individual living in a compassionate and caring society governed by the law of the people made by the people and for the people.

Yenesew Gebre has unquestionably added significant impetus to the impending popular uprising in Ethiopia aimed at ascertaining these values; his name shall be indelibly written in the books of history and glorified by future generations.

It is regurgitating to live in Ethiopia where all pillars of democracy including the media are in full control of tyrant Zenawi. The media are directed to report only positive news pleasing to the ruling thugs in the repressive ruling regime, to wit: there is drought but no hunger; there is double-digit growth in the economy; the regime is on the way to providing three wholesome meals for all thrice daily; Mega Millennium Dam Project pulled out of his hat for political survival.

A heavy daily dose of pathological lies was much too much for Yenesew to drive him to burn to death and handover the button to the rest of us to hasten the demise of the TPLF regime.

Reason to be guilty conscious for inaction

The opposition has left Zenawi for two decades in power despite his: riding roughshod on our freedom; heinous crimes including genocide; sellout of vital national resources; misguided economic policy; Stalinist doctrine on nations and nationalities leading to a totalitarian state; active role in dismembering the country and leaving 83 million people landlocked; unprovoked invasion of Somalia; personal rampant corruption and that of his top officials setting bad example to others; blatant lie that he won the last election of May 2010 by 99.6%.

The actual list of abuse of power by Zenawi is far longer than stated in the above paragraph. We should feel guilty conscious for letting the list to get this long and failing to act in unison to evict the TPLF regime from power immediately.

Ethiopia has time and again been exalted in the Holy Scriptures; she is home to Christians, Muslims and Jews each practicing their faiths for centuries. She has been home to mosaic cultural values from as far back as the beginning of written history. She has been home to various ethnic groups that have risen in unison to rebuff external aggression. It is therefore hard to sympathize with the secessionist agenda of some opposition forces because the one and only one solution to their differences as I have always alluded to is to embrace the “the one man one vote” principle. The ultimate sacrifice of Yeneneh Gabre may have been avoided if opposition political leaders had agreed with this principle.

There is no reason for the opposition not to unite against the draconian misdeeds of Zenwai arrogantly dismantling our country through his tribal divide and rule policy to which we have become a willing prey. We should be ashamed to tolerate the insult and contempt of a tyrant trading in the name of the valiant Ethiopians of Tigray.

Plea to the Obama Administration

Yeneneh Gabre lost his precious life by torching himself because he could no longer tolerate the incessant grave violation of human rights – including genocide – being committed by the Zenawi regime. He could no longer bear the daily dose of pathological lies and propaganda of the power in being controlling all pillars of democracy including freedom of expression. Zenawi is suffering from fear of the Ethiopia people and therefore must be stopped before he commits colossal damages in life and property.

Secretary Clinton is quoted as saying: “Democracies don’t fear their own people. They recognize that citizens must be free to come together, to advocate and agitate.” But people do fear the regime armed to the teeth by the immoral generous direct financial support of donors to the repressive regime of Meles Zenawi. President Obama should kindly listen to the voice of Ethiopians holding candle light vigil in front of the White House; the President and his Secretary of State are morally bound to demand the immediate release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia and help avert the kind of sacrifice made by Yeneneh Gabre.

Closure

Before closing, I would like to express my deepest condolence to the immediate family, friends and loved ones of the late Yeneneh Gabre. I add my fervent prayer that the Almighty God rests his soul of in eternal peace.

I trust that the Ethiopian people on whose behalf Yeneneh Gabre died will in solemn gratitude carry the banner of his ultimate sacrifice and immortalize his soul.